So the Property manager is making 60%+ of what you make as the landlord (speaking in straight cash flow terms).

Maybe I'll need to give it some more consideration, haha, especially because we could probably actually go see some properties in person that way and she speaks passable Japanese.

Can anyone recommend some stand up lenders I can speak to?

These are good indicators of quality tenants.You can also adjust how much deposit you take as well.

Shooting for three 8 foot logs of high quality.  

I believe the one benefits most besides the politicians are those low quality tenants that are hard on units, pay late, rough on the neighbors, etc.

When I purchased my first property in 2020, I feared then that COVID would cause a downturn, but I was thinking longterm and got "lucky"Many experienced investors I speak to have the same few regrets 1) I wish I started sooner2) I wish I bought more3) I wish I never sold

It can be a separate checking or savings but just make sure to have a "holding" account where only security deposits are held for your sanity.I won't speak to liability since I'm not a property manager, attorney, etc. 

@Kevin CollinsIt was great speaking with you today!  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?